Comments on: Good Eats in Philly

Question: Good Eats in Philly

missuswayne — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 07:46:22 -0800

MeFi Foodies: Can you recommend good (cheap-ish) eats in or around Philly's Convention Center and Art Museum areas?

I'm heading into Philadelphia today to meet up with my brother and his wife who are staying near the Convention Center. I'm looking for dinner recommendations for a place in between there and the Art Museum area. We're interested in inexpensive and casual (but no Chili's or anything like that). I'm laying off the sugar/carbs, so I think Chinatown might not be an option, but correct me if my assumption is wrong. Meat is good. We're up for anything cuisine-wise.

By: pete0r

pete0r — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:01:48 -0800

I believe the convention center is very near to the Reading Terminal Market, which is totally worth a visit.

By: SansPoint

SansPoint — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:13:04 -0800

Marathon Grill has a few locations in Center City. The one at 13th and Chestnut might work for you.

By: Geckwoistmeinauto

Geckwoistmeinauto — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:20:54 -0800

RTM is not open for dinner on Sundays, closes at 4.

Marathon is .. well .. I've eaten there, and it's .. ok. There's much better places.

In no specific order:

Eulogy Belgian Tavern
136 Chestnut Street

Eulogy is rather inexpensive for the quality, and while the beers are the best in the city, the frijtes are way better than their competitor's, Monk's. It's nice weather out today, the walk from convention center over to Eulogy is a nice one. Walk down Market past independence mall to 2nd, and come down second. Oops, but you said between there and Art Museum... Well, what about:

The Bard's
2013 Walnut St

Not exactly typical bar food, but it's tasty, and a good place to hang out after dinner. Great dart board!

Belgian Cafe
It's Monk's Junior, but I hear that it's better than what was in the space before. Owned by the same guy who owns Monks, I think it's a decent place, but out of the way for me. I'm pretty sure they have outdoor tables, and on a day like today that's a must.

By: missuswayne

missuswayne — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:22:31 -0800

Thanks for your responses...

Yeah, I was sort of keeping Marathon in my back pocket as a possibility, but I wasn't sure what other good options were around.

And although we might stop into Reading Terminal if I get into town in time, they close at 4 today :(

By: polexa

polexa — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 09:09:35 -0800

I've never been there for dinner, but Sabrina's opened a new location this year at 18th & Callowhill. Their brunches are delicious. But hm... sugar and carbs.

Last night I had dinner with friends at Salento (wow their website is... basic). It's a BYOB on Walnut between 22nd & 23rd. They have lots of pasta but also non-carb based entrees. The artichoke appetizer was amazing.

Since it's Sunday, you can take advantage of their summer promotion which is an appetizer + entree + dessert for $28. Pretty good deal and I wish we could have done that.

By: missuswayne

missuswayne — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 09:17:13 -0800

Hmmm... Eulogy might be out of the way, but the Bard's or Belgian Cafe might work. Although I don't know how I'm going to resist the frites, fish and chips or beer... nom nom nom.

Salento might work also - but it looks like Sabrina's is only open until 4 on Sunday, but some carb-favorable day in the future I might check it out for brunch.

Thanks!!! Keep those suggestions coming...

By: scalefree

scalefree — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 11:16:12 -0800

All of Chinatown is just a stone's throw away, with a multitude of options.

By: scalefree

scalefree — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 11:17:11 -0800

Ah never mind, I didn't read the whole post.

By: ricochet biscuit

ricochet biscuit — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:54:40 -0800

Seconding Peteor's recommendation of Reading Terminal Market. I was in Philly exactly once, thirteen years ago for about a week, and it is the first thing that came to mind when I recalled food there.

By: missuswayne

missuswayne — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:46:36 -0800

Thanks Geckwoistmeinauto - We ended up at Belgian Cafe, and it was perfect!

By: Geckwoistmeinauto

Geckwoistmeinauto — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:30:36 -0800

Funny, so did we. Glad you had fun!